Hockey enforcer Probert remembered as gentle soul with friends, family

Craig Pearson, Canwest News Service07.10.2010

NHL tough guy Bob Probert's body is carried to the Windsor Christian Fellowship in a casket driven by a motorcycle while fans mourn his loss. The funeral was held on Friday, July 9 in Windsor, Ontario.BEN NELMS
/ The Windsor Star

The casket carrying Bob Probert is guilded into place on a motorcycle by Bob's brother Norm Probert, right, with help from pallbearers Joey Kocur, Gerry Gallant and Doug Gilmore, alll centre, as the funeral procession leaves the church.NICK BRANCACCIO
/ Windsor Star

Grieving family of Bob Probert, wife Dani, son Jack and daugters Tierney, right and Brogan leave Windsor Christian Fellowship following a funeral service for one of the toughes players in NHL history.NICK BRANCACCIO
/ The Windsor Star

Grieving family of Bob Probert, wife Dani, son Jack and daugters Tierney, right and Brogan leave Windsor Christian Fellowship following a funeral service for one of the toughes players in NHL history.NICK BRANCACCIO
/ Windsor Star

Probert, the much-loved hockey enforcer who died Monday at age 45 while boating with family on Lake St. Clair, near his hometown of Windsor, Ont., was honoured at a funeral attended by about 1,000 mourners. The casket of the former NHL tough guy left his church, Windsor Christian Fellowship, for Heavenly Rest Cemetery on the sidecar of a Harley-Davidson, following approximately 60 other thundering hogs.

Before mourners trailed the procession of motorcycles — half a dozen of which belonged to Probert — they were led from the church by a piper through an honour guard of NHL players and officials.

The church overflowed with bouquets and an arrangement bearing a red 24, in honour of Probert’s Red Wings number. A black-and-white portrait of a smiling Probert overlooked the proceedings while a slide show from his life played on large screens before the service began.

“He was a rugged hockey player and an unselfish teammate who was willing to do anything for his team,” Red Wings hockey legend Steve Yzerman said during a eulogy. “And most notably, he had a kind heart and a gentle soul.”

Yzerman said Probert was not just popular with fans, but with players. The former Red Wings captain remembered an All-Star Game filled with hockey greats who seemed most interested in meeting “Probie.”

Yzerman recalled good times with Probert on and off the ice.

“On top of his fine play, he made the game fun,” Yzerman recalled. “Whether it was stopping in the middle of a fight to adjust his helmet and give Gerard (Gallant) and I a wink to let us know everything was OK, or in card games ’till the wee hours of the morning the night before a playoff game.”

Other attendees included Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch and his wife Marian, former teammates Darren McCarty and Kris Draper and former Wings broadcaster Mickey Redmond, as well as former Maple Leafs enforcer Tie Domi.

Most people who recounted memories of Probert stressed that unlike his big bad public image, he was actually a funny, fun, caring man.

“He was the goofiest, most embarrassing dad ever,” joked his daughter Brogan, eliciting chuckles from the audience, before she turned serious and drew tears.

“Most of all, he cared for us with all his heart. He loved us so much. I’m really going to miss him. Thinking about the future, I don’t know how on earth I’m supposed to move forward without him in my life.”

Longtime family friend Rick Rogow said Probert lived life to the fullest. “Bob was always a big kid,” Rogow said. “From Cedar Point to motorcycle rides to the Woodward Dream Cruise to skydiving to water-skiing, Bob did it all.”

Rogow, too, then turned serious. “Bob’s friendship meant everything to me,” he said. “Bob, you weren’t only my best friend, you were my brother.”

Fans lined the procession route for Probert, waving flags and Probert memorabilia. A number of funeral attendees, including children, donned hockey jerseys, while many bikers wore full colours. About two dozen journalists camped outside the church.

After the service, family members attended private cremation services.

Probert’s death triggered an outpouring of support for his family and tributes for the hockey player whose well-documented struggles with drugs and alcohol drew almost as much attention as his impressive career.

The former all-star, who played 935 NHL games, ranks fifth all-time in penalty minutes with 3,300 to go along with his 163 goals and 221 assists.

On Feb. 13, 1999, Probert, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, scored the last NHL goal at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens.

He leaves behind his wife Dani and four young children: Brogan, Tierney, and twins Jack and Declyn. He is survived by his mother Theresa and brother Norm, and predeceased by his father Al, who was a Windsor police officer.

Windsor Star

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Hockey enforcer Probert remembered as gentle soul with friends, family

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